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Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:36 pm

Probably most of you would go for the officially released 1975 dec. version, but 1976 has the best sounding versions. Alas, on some of them Elvis' sounds tired and slurs the words. But still a highlight in most of the shows it was performed. I like the song. What's your favorite '76 version? The Bicentennial Song for the Bicentennial Year.

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:38 pm

The version during the evening show in Cincinnati on March 21, 1976 is very good.

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:40 pm

That's easy... Cincinnati, Ohio. March 21, 1976 8:30 pm show.

Reason: Larrie Londin.

@Rob: Great minds think alike!

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:45 pm

Yeah, but to me, Larrie had nothing to do with it. Elvis was committed to the performance of the song and the little extra he put on the ending was a nice touch.

Larrie was a nice change, but I still preferred Ronnie.

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 12:11 am

I agree with Cincinnati and the Omaha version from The America FTD finds him in good form too. Through the summer, his voice struggled with the softer, "Above the fruited plain," portion. Sometimes I didn't think he would be able to do it. Love Letters at these shows would be a struggle too.

When did he do his last version of America?

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 12:17 am

December 9, 1976 10 pm features the last known performance of this song.

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 12:45 am

Well, I totally forgot about this early sb version.. in my mind I was thinking of all these later summer versions.. I must now listen to it! I do remember a good Steamroller Blues from this day and a good Burning Love from the day before, right?

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Rob wrote:Yeah, but to me, Larrie had nothing to do with it. Elvis was committed to the performance of the song and the little extra he put on the ending was a nice touch.

Larrie was a nice change, but I still preferred Ronnie.

And Elvis doesn't over-do it like the one they play on Sirius at the end of George Klein's show. I cringe at the way he says "America...America...God! Shed his grace on thee". The Cincy version has always been my favorite.

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 1:26 am

Its been a while since I've heard it but I believe the one from Buffalo on June 25 was a fairly strong version.

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 3:09 am

March 17 1976 Johnson City

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 3:28 am

I love the March 21, 1976 Cincinnati version as well..., (I too, love Larrie Londin's drum playing on that) a close runner up would be August 30, 1976.

rlj

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 4:46 am

Tuscaloosa, August 30, 1976 as per Old Times They Are Not Forgotten DAE CD. But the concert as a whole is as Boring as sh*t. Have not played it in 15 years.

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 5:03 am

Robt wrote:Tuscaloosa, August 30, 1976 as per Old Times They Are Not Forgotten DAE CD. But the concert as a whole is as Boring as sh*t. Have not played it in 15 years.

While some don't like that particular show, Elvis really comes through on America. It is the only highlight of a pretty routine show.

rlj

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 5:09 am

ranskal wrote:

Rob wrote:Yeah, but to me, Larrie had nothing to do with it. Elvis was committed to the performance of the song and the little extra he put on the ending was a nice touch.

Larrie was a nice change, but I still preferred Ronnie.

And Elvis doesn't over-do it like the one they play on Sirius at the end of George Klein's show. I cringe at the way he says "America...America...God! Shed his grace on thee". The Cincy version has always been my favorite.

Actually I always liked that part as I first heard by flipping over "My Way" in the fall of '77.

I concede you might have to be an American to enjoy it.

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 5:29 am

Rob wrote:The version during the evening show in Cincinnati on March 21, 1976 is very good.

Yes, by a long shot.

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 9:13 am

Gregory Nolan Jr. wrote:

ranskal wrote:

Rob wrote:Yeah, but to me, Larrie had nothing to do with it. Elvis was committed to the performance of the song and the little extra he put on the ending was a nice touch.

Larrie was a nice change, but I still preferred Ronnie.

And Elvis doesn't over-do it like the one they play on Sirius at the end of George Klein's show. I cringe at the way he says "America...America...God! Shed his grace on thee". The Cincy version has always been my favorite.

Actually I always liked that part as I first heard by flipping over "My Way" in the fall of '77.

I concede you might have to be an American to enjoy it.

I'm definitely American, I just don't happen to like his performance on that particular version.

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 9:27 pm

Soundwise, the one from "Old Times They Are Not Forgotten."

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 9:31 pm

Ciscoking wrote:December 9, 1976 10 pm features the last known performance of this song.

Thank you.

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 9:48 pm

Ciscoking wrote:December 9, 1976 10 pm features the last known performance of this song.

I thought this thread was about the favorite version.

My favorite version is the one performed on August 30, 1976 as released on "Old Times They Are Not Forgotten". Elvis sounds just great and really feels the song.

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Sun Feb 24, 2013 9:49 pm

stevelecher wrote:When did he do his last version of America?

Re: Favorite 1976 live version of America The Beautiful?

Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:31 am

I tell ya. It has to be this one. Thank god JD Sumner is nowhere to be heard -